To:G. V. PLEKHANOV

Published:First published in 1926 inLenin Miscellany IV.

      Sent from Paris to Geneva.

      Printed from the original.Source:Lenin
	  Collected Works,

      Progress Publishers,[1977],

      Moscow,Volume 43,

      pages110b-112a.Translated:Martin Parker and Bernard IsaacsTranscription\Markup:R. CymbalaPublic Domain:Lenin Internet Archive

      (2005).You may freely copy, distribute,
	display and perform this work; as well as make derivative and
	commercial works. Please credit “Marxists Internet
	Archive” as your source.•README

Iam submitting to all members of the Editorial Board a proposal to
co-opt “Pero” as a full member of the Board. (I believe that for
co-optation not a majority but aunanimousdecision is needed.)

Wearevery much in needof a seventh member both be cause it
would simplify voting (six being an even number) and reinforce the Board.

“Pero”has been writing in every issue for several months now. In
general he is working forIskramost energetically, delivering
lectures (and with tremendous success), etc.

Forour department of topical articles and items he will be not only
very useful but quite indispensable.

Heis unquestionably a man of more than average ability, convinced,
energetic, and promising. And he could do a good deal in the sphere of
translation and popular literature.

Wemust draw in young forces: this will encourage them and prompt them
to regard themselves as professional writers. And that we have too few of
such is clear—witness
1) the difficulty of finding editors of translations;
2) the shortage of articles reviewing the internal situation, and
3) the shortage of popular literature. It is in the sphere of popular
literature that “Pero” would like to try his hand.

Possiblearguments against:
1) his youth;
2) his early (perhaps) return to Russia;
3) a pen (without quotation
				marks)[1]with traces of feuilleton style, too pretentious, etc.

Ad1) “Pero” is suggested not for an independent post, but for the
Board. In it he will gain experience. He undoubtedly has the “intuition”
of a Party man, a man of our trend; as for knowledge and experience these
can be acquired. That he is hardworking is likewise unquestionable. It is
necessary to co-opt him so as finally to draw him in and encourage him.

Ad2) If “Pero” is initiated in all aspects of our work he may not
leave so soon. And if he goes, organisational links with the Board and
subordination to it are not a minus but a tremendous plus.

Ad3) Stylistic shortcomings are not a serious defect. They will be
ironed out. At present he accepts “corrections” in silence (and not too
readily). In the Board there will be debates, things will be put to the
vote, and the “instructions” will acquire a more definitive and
imperative form.

Therefore,I propose

I)that all six members of the Editorial Board vote on co-opting
“Pero” as afullmember;

2)ifhe is accepted, to tackle the final settlement of relationships
and voting procedures in the Editorial Board, and to draft precise
rules.This is necessary for usand important for the congress.

P.S.I consider itextremely inconvenientand awkward
toput offthe co-opting, for I can see that “Pero” is alreadyquiteannoyed (he has not of course openly said so) with being
left hanging “in the air” and treated, so it seems to him, as a
“youngster”.

Ifwe do not accept “Pero” at once and he leaves in, say, a month for
Russia,I am certainhe will take it as a sign that wesimply
do not wanthim on the editorial staff. We might lose him, and that
would be very bad.

[1]“Pero”(meaning Pen) was the pseudonym used by
Trotsky.—Ed.